Safe Sleep

Safe Sleep Guidelines for Infants

Ensuring that your baby sleeps safely is crucial for their health and well-being. This handout

provides important guidelines to help create a safe sleep environment for your infant.

Key Principles of Safe Sleep

1. Alone in the Crib

Always place your baby to sleep alone in their crib. Sharing the same sleep surface

can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

2. Use a Crib, Not a Bed

Ensure your baby sleeps in a crib that meets the current safety standards.

Avoid placing your baby to sleep on a couch, armchair, or bed.

3. Appropriate Sleepwear

Dress your baby in fitted sleep clothing like onesies or sleep sacks.

Avoid loose garments that could pose a suffocation risk.

4. No Blankets or Pillows

Do not use blankets, pillows, or stuffed toys in the crib until your child is at least 2

years old. Instead, use a firm mattress with a well-fitted sheet.

Additional Tips for Safe Sleep

Back to Sleep: Always place your baby on their back to sleep, for naps and nighttime. This

position has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS.

Room Sharing: Share a room with your baby, but not the same sleeping surface, for at

least the first 6 months.

Keep the Crib Bare: Remove all soft objects, toys, and loose bedding from the crib.

Maintain a Comfortable Room Temperature: Keep the room at a comfortable

temperature to prevent your baby from overheating.

Pacifiers: Offering a pacifier at nap time and bedtime can help reduce the risk of SIDS. If

breastfeeding, wait until breastfeeding is well-established (usually 3-4 weeks) before

introducing a pacifier.

Understanding the Risks: Awareness of the risks associated with unsafe sleep environments is critical. Following these guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths.

Resources for Further Information

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Safe to Sleep Campaign

By adhering to these safe sleep practices, you can provide a safer sleep environment for your

baby and contribute to their healthy development. Always reach out to your pediatrician if

you have any questions or concerns regarding your baby